Effects of reaction temperature, time and particle size on switchgrass microwave pyrolysis and reaction kinetics

Authors

  • Rui Zhou South Dakota State University
  • Hanwu Lei Washington State University
  • James L. Julson South Dakota State University

Keywords:

switchgrass, microwave pyrolysis, kinetics, bio-oil, syngas, bio-char

Abstract

This study investigated microwave pyrolysis of switchgrass with particle sizes from 0.5 mm to 4 mm and determined the effects of reaction temperature and time on the yields of bio-oil, syngas, and bio-char. A prediction model was satisfactorily developed to describe the bio-oil conversion yield as a function of reaction temperature and time. Second-order reaction kinetics was also developed to model the switchgrass pyrolysis. Switchgrass with different particle sizes was found to be similarly pyrolyzed by microwave heating. The research results indicated that thermochemical conversion reactions can take place rapidly in large-sized switchgrass by using microwave pyrolysis. GC-MS analysis indicates that the bio-oil contained a series of important and useful chemical compounds: Phenols, aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, and furan derivatives. These chemical compounds evolved were related to the pyrolysis conditions.

Author Biographies

Rui Zhou, South Dakota State University

PhD student, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota 57007 USA;

Hanwu Lei, Washington State University

PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Washington State University. Tel: 509-372-7628; Fax: 509-372-7690

James L. Julson, South Dakota State University

Professor, PhD, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, South Dakota State University. Tel: 605-688-5671

References

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Published

2013-03-18

How to Cite

Zhou, R., Lei, H., & Julson, J. L. (2013). Effects of reaction temperature, time and particle size on switchgrass microwave pyrolysis and reaction kinetics. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, 6(1), 53–61. Retrieved from https://ijabe.migration.pkpps03.publicknowledgeproject.org/index.php/ijabe/article/view/646

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 1 (2013): IJABE

Section

Renewable Energy and Material Systems

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